General Principles of Analytical Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The purpose of this introductory chapter is to set the stage for what is to follow. Clearly, it is not possible to give a complete account of all the features of a modern mass spectrometer in a few pages. Accordingly, we shall concentrate on establishing some essential principles, give references to sources of more detailed information, and try to give some indication of more modern trends in instrumentation. Some of these trends will be fully described in later chapters in this book and thus will be treated sketchily here.